Lettering and marking guide



Nov. 21,1939. E. w. WATKINS I 2,181,033

LETTERING AND MARKING GUIDE Original Filed May 27, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 21, 1939. E. w. WATKINS LETTERING AND MARKING GUIDE Original Filed May 27, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 21, 1939 LETTERING AND MARKING GUIDE Edmund W. Watkins, Palatka, Fla.

Original application May 27, 1938, Serial No. 210,515. Divided and this application October 19, 1938, Serial No. 235,845

Claims. (Cl. 33-184.6)

This invention is a novel improvement in let tering guides for land markers and the like, the present application being a division of my 00- pending application Serial No. 210,515, filed May 27, 1938; and one object of the invention is to provide a novel lettering guide for use in marking the metallic or other caps of land markers or the like, which markers usually comprise a metallic plate or cap bearing appropriate markings having a partpermanently anchored in a concrete or other base so as to form an integral part thereof, the markers being primarily used as permanent reference monuments required by certain State map laws, also as permanent markers respecting township, section, town-lot corners, and as markers for corners of sub-divisions of United States surveys; also used as inexpensive and durable grave markers.

Another object is to provide a novel lettering guide for use in marking said metallic plates or caps, the use of which will speed up the establishment of permanent land markers, said guide comprising a light portable field-skit adapted to.

be mounted upon the cap and conveniently used for the lettering and marking thereof before or after the monuments have been established in the earth, the guide permitting a wide latitude or diversification in the designs of said markings andlettering upon the cap while at the same time serving to standardize the marking and lettering of boundary markers for corners or the like, same resulting in uniform spacing of letters and figures, and also serving as a convenient and marize 1n the claims thenovel features of con-.

practical means for conforming with certain State map laws respecting said permanent reference monuments.

- I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several practical embodiments thereof to enable others to adopt and use the same; and will sumstruction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. .1 is a top plan view of a monument with.

diametrically disposed depending lugs 4b prolettering guide for impressing the lettering and other indicia applied to the cap of'the monument shown in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the lettering guide v applied to the monument shown in Fig. 6.

Figs. 8 and 9 are perspective views of lettering and numbering dies used in connection with the guide.

Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the die used in connection with the guide for impressing radia1 lines in the cap.

Figs. 11 to 16 inclusive show'modifications in the designs in the markings which may be impressed in the cap, using the guide.

The land marker shown in Figs. 1-4 comprises a metal cap I, preferably of non-corrosive metal or material, and of substantial thickness, and of circular shape, said cap having an axially disposed tubular extension la on its underside, the bore lb of said extension continuing upwardly through the cap 1. Cap I is permanently mounted ina base 2, which may be of metal but is preferably a concrete block of any desired cross-section, said cap being soembedded therein that a portion thereof projects above the upper face of base 2. A pin 3 isalso provided for cap I,

' said pin having a conical head and having a shank to (Fig. 5) adapted to be forcibly inserted down into bore lb of the cap as'indicated in Fig. 2 to, close the said bore and to exclude dirt and other foreign matters from the bore. 1

My novel lettering guide comprises a plate 4 (Figs. 6 and 7) preferably of circular shape having a central opening la adapted to receive the peripheral portion of cap I, said plate havingjecting from its underside adjacent the periphery provided 'with'tapped bores for the threaded shanks of opposed thumb nuts ie havingshoes id adapted to engage-the side walls of the base 2 as shown in Fig. '7 to securely clamp the plate 4, in the position shown, and prevent rotation of the plate on the base. In plate 4 adjacent the periphery is an annular series of evenly spaced holes 4e preferably disposed about 9 apart'so that there will be provided ten such holes for each quadrant, or a total of forty holes in the entire series. However, the number of holes 4e may be increased or decreased to vary the spac ing, as desired.

5 (Figs. 6-7) of substantial width and thickness, same having a central bore 5a in which a rod 512 is secured atits upper end by a pin 50, rod 5b being adapted to be inserted down through open- Rotatably mounted upon plate t is a pointer ing lb of cap I and to snugly fit said bore, the rod serving as pivot whereby pointer 5 may be rotated with respect to plate 4. Preferably the underside of the pointer 5 is recessed as at 5d (Fig. '7) so as to clear the upwardly projecting portion of cap I.

One end of pointer 5 terminates in a point 5e terminating adjacent the pitch circle of the series of holes 4e as indicated in Fig. 6, while the other end is extended as at 5 to form a handle whereby the pointer may be readily rotated on the plate 4. Upon the top of handle 5 is a pivotally mounted thumb lever 5i having its inner end terminating above the pitch circle of the holes 4e and carrying a pin 57' which is slidably mounted in a bore in the handle 5), said pin being adapted to enter any of the holes 4e in plate 4. Thumb lever 52 is normally tilted so as to engage pin 57 with a hole 5e by a spring 510 disposed between the opposite end of thumb lever 5i and the top of the handle 5f, as shown in Fig. 7. By depressing the outer end of thumb lever the pin 57' will be raised out of engagement with the hole 4e, and pointer 5 may be rotated into any desired position over any of the other holes, and upon releasing lever 52' the pin 5 will enter the underlying hole 46 and will lock the pointer 5 in said adjusted position.

Extending axially of pointer 5 is a narrow slot 5m disposed at each side of pin 51) and extending substantially the entire diameter of cap I. The slot 5m forms a guide for a thin die 1 (Fig. 10) of relatively great width adapted to form radial lines in cap I when the die in'said slot is struck by a hammer. The width of the die '1 is substantially equal to the length of the slot 5m at each side of pin 517. One end of slot 5m is enlarged as at 511. to form a rectangular guide for lettering and numbering dies 6 (Figs. 8 and 9) having rectangular shanks 6a of size to suit the enlargement 5n. Preferably the dies 6 shown in Figs. 8 and 9 are custom made steel dies and may be inserted down through the opening 5n of the pointer and hit with a hammer to cut the letters or numbers in the cap. The opposite end of slot 5m is provided with a similar enlargement 5p forming a rectangular guide of same size as guide 512, however, one wall of slot 5m forms one wall of the guide 5p, whereas the guide 5n is coaxial with the slot 5m. Thus while the guides 5n and 5p are disposed on the same pitch circle, since the axis of guide tip is offset from the axis of guide 5n a distance approximately equal to half the spacing of the holes 46 in plate 4 the lettering or figuring may be impressed on cap I at intervals of l or 9 apart according to the spacing of holes 4e shown in Fig. 7. A third enlargement 5g is also provided in slot 5m adjacent the guide 510, but is disposed nearer the pin 5b, the enlargement 5q forming with the wall of slot 5m a guide of same size as guides 5n and 5p. The dies such as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may be used in connection with any of the guides 5n, 5p or Eq.

By manipulating the pointer 5, and by using the dies 6 and 1, various designs of lettering, numbering and radial lining may be impressed in cap I using the guides 5m, 511, 51) and 5q, some of the designsbeing shown in Figs. 1 and 11-16 and any desired angle or course may be impressed thereon within a limit of 4 In Fig. 1 three angle or course lines a are illustrated on the cap impressed by die I through guides 5m; also the names of land owners, viz: Walton and. Browning" are impressed in two sectors using dies 6 through guides 5n, 5p, or 5q; and the notation 66 Ft. Highway impressed in a similar manner within the other sector. In Fig. 11 radial lines a denoting 0, 45, 270, and 351 are impressed. In Fig. 12 a different arrangement of three radial lines a is illustrated, with notations Barnett, 13th St. and A. C. L. R. R. Co. impressed in the respective sectors. Fig. 13 illustrates the cap used as a grave marker; the radial lines being omitted; Fig. 14 illustrates a marking for townlot corners, using radial lines a, and ap propriate indicia impressed within the sectors; Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate section, township, corner, or quarter-section corner markings.

After the cap i has been given the desired markings, plate 4 and pointer 5 are removed, and the pointed pin 3 is then forcibly inserted down into bore lb of the cap to exclude dirt and other foreign matter from the'bore, the pin being preferably retained in the bore by friction.

The guides 4-5 provide means for standardizing marking and lettering of boundary markers for land and lot corners, and permit of a wide latitude and diversification in making such designs as shown in Figs. 1 and 11-16. Obviously many other designs could be made. The use of my guide provides a practical way of complying with certain State map laws which require permanent reference monuments. The cap plate may be marked using the lettering guide either before or after the cap has been mounted in the base, and its use permits great speed. in establishing permanent reference land markers, and provides a long-felt want for marking permanent township, section, also other corners of sub-divisions of the United States surveys, also town-lot corners; and the marking may be applied in a symmetrical manner with uniform spacing of letters and figures.

I do not limit my invention to the exact form shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may be made therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A lettering guide for land markers or the like having an indicia receiving cap mounted in a face of a supporting base and having an axial bore; said guide comprising a plate having its central portion removed in way of the cap; means for mounting the plate on the base; a retatable member on'the plate having a pivot engaging the bore of the cap; said member having die receiving guide openings therein disposed over the plate; and means for locking the memberin position on the plate.

2. In a guide as set forth in claim 1, said looking means comprising an annular series of spaced holes in the plate adjacent the periphery thereof; said member having a handle portion extending beyond the pitch circle of the holes, a pin slidably mounted in a bore in said member and adapted to engage any-of said holes; and means on the handle portion for normally urging the pin into engagement with a hole.

3. In a guide as set forth in claim 1, said locking means comprising an annular series of spaced holes in the plate adjacent the periphery thereof; said member having a handle portion extending beyond the pitch circle of the holes, a pin slidably mounted in a bore in said member and adapted to engage any of said holes; a thumb lever pivoted on said handle portion and having one end connected with said pin; and spring means cooperating with the other end of the lever normally tilting the lever to urge the pin into engagement with the hole.

In a guide as set forth in claim 1, said guides comprising rectangular openings in the member disposed different distances from the pivot and adapted to receive correspondingly shaped lettering and numbering dies.

5. In a guide as set forth in claim 1, said guides comprising rectangular openings in the member disposed difierent distances from the pivot and adapted to receive correspondingly shaped lettering and numbering dies, the axes of the openings being ofi'set laterally from the axis of the member.

6. In a guide as set forth in claim 1, said guide openings comprising narrow coaxial slots in the member at each side of the pivot, eachembracing the radius of the cap and adapted to receive correspondingly shaped dies for impressing radial lines in the cap, said slots having rectangular enlargements adapted to receive correspondingly shaped lettering and numbering dies.

'7 In a guide as set forth in claim 1, said guide openings comprising narrow coaxial slots in the member at each side of the pivot, each embracing the radius of the cap and adapted to receive correspondingly shaped dies for impressing radial lines in the cap; said slots having rectangular enlargements adapted to receive correspondingly shaped lettering and numbering dies, some of the enlargements being disposed at different di tances from the pivot than others.

8. In a guide as set forth in claim 1, said guide openings comprising narrow coaxial slots in the member at each side of the pivot each embracing the radius of the plate and adapted to receive correspondingly shaped dies "for impressing radial lines in the cap, said slots having rectangular enlargementsadapted to receive correspondingly shaped lettering and numbering dies, some of the enlargements being disposed at different distances from the pivot than others, and some. of the enlargements being oiiset laterally from the axis of the member.

9. A lettering guide for land markers having an indicia bearing cap projecting beyond a face of a supporting base and having an axial bore; said guide comprising a plate having a central openingreceiving the projecting portion of the cap; means for mounting the plate on the base; a rotatable member on the plate having a pivot engaging the bore of the cap; said member having diereceiving guide openings therein disposed over the plate; and-means for locking the member in position on the plate.

10. In a guide as set forth in claim 9, said guide openings comprising narrow coaxial slots in the member at each side of the pivot, each embracing the radius of the plate and adapted to receive correspondingly shaped dies for impressing radial lines in the cap, said slots having rectangular enlargements adapted to receive correspondingly shaped lettering and numbering dies,

some of the enlargements being disposed at different distances from the pivot than others, and some of the enlargements being oiiset laterally from the axis of the member.

- EDMUND W. WATKINS. 

